Quick Update for Everyone

I hate not blogging, but I never have time to do so. I don't have Facebook or Myspace so I also feel out of the loop in that sense as well. Is snail mail completely dead? What about an old fashioned phone call or even text message?
Vivo la vida. It's been a pleasing year as far as traveling goes. My first trip to Zion in March was a fantastic start to the warm camping season. I was struck and left in awe by the magnitude of beauty that is Zion. It really is heaven on earth. I took pictures with Pablo's camera, but I wish my camera wasn't so damn temperamental so I could've snagged pictures of my own. There's so much of Utah I haven't seen. It's frustrating! Definitely motivation to get my ass down to Southern Utah more.
Also, may I point out that another way to spell Las Vegas is S-H-I-T-S-H-O-W? Any mention of a Vegas trip is liable to cause excitement for me equivalent to that of a child in a candy store. I am such a fan of the shenanigans of Vegas! The risk, the hootch, the lights, the legal hustling, the grungy glitz and glimmer. Love it. Love it so much, I visited Sin City three times this year- including best New Years of my life.
San Diego was a beautiful city; I wish that I could have gotten more acquainted with it's charm. But it was just a short trip, beach, rooftop bar at the Marriott Gaslamp Quarter and delicious food. I want to go back.
Then there was Mexico. Oh, Mexico. It was like nothing you've ever seen. It was amazing! I am honored to be the first in my family to have had the opportunity to visit my grandfather's breathtaking hometown. Taking in the culture, the people, the unbelievable food, the landscape, the language, I learned something new every day. I am ecstatic I was finally able to see where I came from; so proud to be a Chicana.
Other than that, it's been the usual camping and occasional cabin trips (The Second Annual Strawberry Trip Trip was a mess). Kylee and I are attempting to solidify plans for a trip in October, but we just can't decide what we want to do. Boston is at the top of my list, but we may have to post-pone it. My family is planning a Hawaii trip next February combining celebrations for my mom, Mike's and my birthday and I think everyone should come. : )
And, last but not least, I can't wait for Tiff's wedding, which is just around the corner!
So that has been my summer. I hope everyone has been well in my absence. Anything new and exciting going on? I'd love to share in your delight of any new developments!

Extra, Extra! Read All About It!

>listening to: vampire weekend<



Hello friends! Yes, it is me. Can you believe it? I can hardly believe it myself, it's been months since I posted anything. Would you like to know the reason for my disappearance? My lame employer has blocked my blog from the computers at work. Gasp! I know, right? How dare he! I hold Bill Marriott solely responsible. I attempted to circulate a petition, but I was told with my blog inaccessible, I might actually get some work done, so that ended up dead in the water.

Well, I hope every one's holidays were amazing. I'm pretty sure too much time has lapsed since Christmas to wish you a merry one, but really. I was thinking of each of you, my dear blogging audience, as I sat near a warm fire on Christmas Eve. Really. I was also thinking of you as my beautiful girlfriend and I rang in the New Year in Harrah's on the strip in Las Vegas.
January was borrrring and covered in snow- not at all how I like it. And it feels like I have a part-time job with my four hour film class, but just that much closer to graduation!
The beginning of February was a mess. I was faced with the loss of a very close friend... My ipod. Some Godforsaken miscreant unworthy of life broke into my car and stole my purse and my LIFE. Seriously, I loved that thing. My ipod and I, we had so many memories together. Like, now, every time I hear John Lennon's Stand by Me, I think of the time last summer that we partied at Zack's house and Ky and I rode home on our bikes, drunk, at three a.m.- and I can't help but tear up. I just hope whoever has my ipod's life in their hands now, loves it as much as I once did.
So, my ipod is gone (iJacked, if you will) and my best friend in the world, my dog, Sprocket tears his ACL. Yes, I know. Unbelievable. He's just so passionate about playing soccer. Seriously, though, it was horrible. He couldn't move for days and when he finally had the courage to get up, he was in an immense amount of pain, whining constantly. It was heartbreaking. I love that dog. He has since visited the vet and while he is still recovering, he is still hurting. I still have to pull his big 80 pound ass onto my bed at night because he can't get up on his own.
But since those two events, along with a few other misfortunes, February has begun looking up. Camping season began early for me this year with the first cabin trip two weekends past. It was a beautiful weekend- warm, even. My new hookah's presence was delightful and the blackjack tournament was unexpected and enjoyable. Jes, nice call on a cabin trip. Let's do it again soon!
Then, last weekend, Ky and I celebrated Valentine's Day. We got a hotel room, had an incredible dinner, drank champagne, played our new Wii, swam into all hours of the night and overall, just enjoyed each other's company. I love her so much.

So, that's what I have been up to. I'm anxious for Spring to be here. I have many traveling plans for this summer- including, but not limited to, Phoenix, perhaps Tennessee for some Bonnarro action?, San Francisco (again, because I love it so), Oregon- because, as everyone knows, that is where I left my heart- and Mexico. Not to mention, the second annual Strawberry trip trip (wink), Flaming Gorge, Moab, Goblin Valley, Soapstone and all of the cabin trips. (let's avoid Rockport this year, eh guys? No one likes to go back where they're not welcome! haha)
I hope everyone is well and enjoying life. Let's hope it won't be another two months before you hear from me again!

xoxo

'tis the season.

>listening to: my morning jacket<


SO BUSY!
It has been a crazy month of December this year- especially the unexpected move, THE SEPARATION ANXIETY, the (lame) work parties, the shopping, the wrapping, the anticipation, work, blah blah blah blah BLAH.

Attending Kylee, Stef and Traci's work party last night was a splendid break from all the chaos. First two things I spotted: a large bottle of Jack and SUSHI on the food table. OMG, I was in heaven. I thoroughly enjoyed myself- Kylee was even successful in convincing me to get up in front of all these strangers and sing karaoke(after several drinks, of course). HEY JUDE, DON'T MAKE IT BAD. TAKE A SAD SONG AND MAKE IT BETTER! I love noticing Stef's beautiful voice amongst all other drunken karaoke voices (including the voices of the remaining three of us, haha). Ky, Stef and Trace- thanks for letting me come along.

Speaking of Stef's beautiful voice, she will be playing a show at Monk's on December 26th. I'm excited because I haven't heard her play in so long! : ) Everyone should come hang out- it's an ugly sweater party. YES!

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season! Only a week until Christmas!

oh, and-

P.s.-

1950's pin up model Bettie Page died at 85 today.

Only at Christmas Time.

>listening to: pink floyd<


It's been a bustling holiday season for me, as I'm sure it is for everyone- just like every year. I certainly am fond of the holidays but why must I wait until the last minute to shop every year single year? It's not enjoyable being caught up in the frenzied, last minute shopper crowds, where everyone has that same determined look in their eye: kill or be killed. My New Year's resolution is to finish my Christmas shopping right after my dad's birthday in April.

I am also fond of the lack of snow so far this year. I hate how the cold seeps into my body and chills my very core, but at least the cuffs of my pants aren't snow soggy! (Sorry to my snowboarding friends, I know how you love it)

Friends, I will be having our annual Christmas party on Dec 20th at my parents' house. (sniffle. Last year it was held at the house on 6th north... How I miss it so) It is going to be a cocktail party, dressy attire will be required. (Douglas's graduation "Dress to Impress" party- you all remember that... or not!) I've not yet decided if I want to serve food or just munchies. Maybe if I get a sponsor behind the dinner idea (cough Pablo cough), we can get something going. Regardless, there will be endless drinks (who needs to eat when you can drink?) and good company, cleaned up nicely. Everyone, please come. Consider this your formal invitation!

One of my favorite events during the holiday season is the Christmas Eve party the Raso's hold every year. When I was a kid, it was held at my Grandma and Grandpa's house. The parties were always filled with cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, green chile, presents, mischief- and now that I'm older, BOOZE. Ever since Grandma died, my aunts and uncles have taken turns hosting the Christmas Eve party. I think my mom hosted the first party after Grandma died.... Maybe that was the first Christmas after I turned 21 because I cannot conjure up any memories of it. I love when all of the Raso's get together. I have a family that is unparalleled to any other. Bekah and I started a new tradition last year. Since she is nearly family already, she joined us in the festivities last year.

This was us at my Uncle Mike's house, downstairs at his bar. Niiice.

My cute family. Me, my cousin Lysa, Aunt Tina and my darling mother.

I hope everyone is as excited about the holidays as I am!

Did you have a good world when you died? Enough to base a movie on?

>listening to: John Lennon<


Today, around the world, celebrations are being held to honour the lives of two of rock and roll's greats. It is the twenty eighth anniversary of the death of John Lennon and it is Jim Morrison's 65th birthday.
Big day, huh? As cheesy as it may sound, I am beside myself with bittersweet emotions. Already in a melancholy mood partnered with the snow falling heavily outside, reading the news of today's celebrations and the recollection of their lives and deaths brought tears to my eyes. These are two of my idols and such a commemorative day is overwhelming!
On December 8th, 1980 at approximately 10:50 p.m., John Lennon and Yoko Ono were returning to their home at The Dakota in New York City when Lennon's brilliant life was ended. He was shot five times by Mark David Chapman. Earlier in the evening, as Lennon and Ono were leaving the building to the Record Plant Studios mix the track, "Walking on Thin Ice", Chapman had asked Lennon for his autograph on "Double Fantasy". A group of fans had gathered including fan and photographer, Paul Goresh who took this photo of Lennon and the man that would take his life.


Lennon was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Back at the Dakota, police found Chapman sitting on the curb reading, J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye- his "statement". Chapman was sentenced 20 years to life and has since been denied parole several times, most recently this August. Chapman has received many (understandable) threats on his life when and if he ever receives parole.

Much has been done in honour of John Lennon since his death, including songs written and preformed by the three remaining Beatles (before George Harrison died in 2001). On Lennon's 67th birthday, October 9th, 2007, Yoko Ono unveiled the "Imagine Peace Tower" located off the island of Reykjavik, Iceland. A beam of light is projected in the sky from the tower and is lit every year from Lennon's birthday until the 8th of December. On the base of the tower, "Imagine Peace" is carved in 24 different languages.

This year, Yoko Ono is marking the anniversary of Lennon's death with a memorial concert in Tokyo; at the same venue The Beatles played at in 1966.
Tonight in L.A., the traditional memorial celebration will take place in front of Capitol Records, near John Lennon's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame- but that won't be the only memorial happening in Los Angeles.

Every year on his birthday, crowds gather at Jim Morrison's grave in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France to celebrate his life. But this year, on what would be Morrison's 65th birthday, a celebration will be held in his honor at Barney's Beanery, one of the bars Morrison frequented in the late 60's. Due to Morrison's unruly behavior (for pissing on the bar) he was later banned from the establishment. Tonight, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled at that exact spot. Doors' band members Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek will be on hand at the event, signing the newest Doors' installment, "Live at the Matrix, 1967", one of the earliest known Doors' recordings. Happy Birthday, Morrison.

Though we are not fortunate enough to be present at the events taking place today in memoriam, please take a moment to remember the glorious life of a peace activist and outstanding musician and the reckless life of a rebellious genius.

My apologies (to the Queen Mary).

>listening to: the new pornographers<

So much to blog about. There is so much musical history from the past few days that my blog audience is missing out on. Please forgive me for letting you down (although, almost certainly, I care about the random tidbits more than anyone ever should... please just humor me and pretend you care).

There's been a flurry of birthdays I've missed, such as Britney's 27th on December 2nd. I hope it was filled with sobriety and events acceptable for a recovering trainwreck.

And as for the many significant events that occurred 40+ years ago this past week that I've failed miserably in mentioning, one day I will get around to it. It is my promise to you all.

I've just not been in the mood. And today my stomach is extremely upset with me for rendering a Thirsty Thursday upon it involving whiskey, too salty tortilla chips and spinach dip. Ugh!

But I will leave you with this picture I found that got me thinking:

Hmm... Well, since I'm already hell bound... It's time for a new tattoo.